83-year-old hotel owner on st. thomas arrested for alleged
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83-Year-Old Hotel Owner on St. Thomas Arrested for AllegedUnlawful Sexual Contact, Simple AssaultPdf Published On November 12, 2021 02:47 PMAmanie Mathurin | November 12, 2021 02:47:57 PM
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Mugshot of Joseph Hodge, 83. By THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS- An 83-year-old businessman has been charged with unlawful sexual contact, simpleassault and disturbance of the peace.
Joseph Hodge, the owner of the Bella Vista Hotel has been accused of groping a guest who says shehas stayed at the establishment several times during her frequent visits to St. Thomas.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, the woman told police that on the afternoon of October30th, Hodge and the front desk assistant came to her room to assess a plumbing issue she reported.They then decided to switch her to another room. The woman claims that during that process Hodgeapproached her with his hands extended as if to give her a hug, which caught her off guard. Shesays she attempted to push him away to avoid physical contact but he proceeded to grope her,squeezing both her breasts. According to the alleged victim, she slapped his hands away andstepped aside in an attempt to get away and exit the room.
However, she alleges that while walking past Hodge he told her that she ‘was getting big’ and thathe had not seen her in a long time. She asserted that he then slapped her on the buttocks, startlingher and causing her to panic and immediately leave the room. After that she refused to return to anyof the rooms while Hodge was there alone, according to the probable cause fact sheet.
Bella Vista Hotel in St. Thomas (Credit: Bella Vista Hotel)
At the time she reported the incident to police, the alleged victim indicated that she planned tocheck out of the hotel the following morning because she felt uncomfortable. She told police thatwhile she and Hodge were familiar with each other from her frequent stays, this is the first timeanything of that nature occurred. She noted that she always conducted herself professionally whileat the establishment.
Joseph Hodge was later arrested and taken in for questioning, however his attorney Clive Riversadvised him not to give a statement. While bail was set in the amount of $35,000 by order of theMagistrate Court, Rivers subsequently contacted another attorney and judge regarding anappearance bond for the defendant's release. A judge granted a $500 appearance bond withstipulations that Hodge have no visible physical, or social contact with the victim and that hemaintain a distance of 100 feet from her.
At a virtual advisement hearing on Friday, the court learned that Hodge, who was born in Anguillahas no criminal history. While his attorney requested that he be released on an unsecuredappearance bond, Assistant Attorney General Brenda Scales sought an increase in the bail amountand argued that Hodge should be prohibited from leaving the territory. Scales stressed that inaddition to not being born in the Virgin Islands, the defendant has significant assets, including twowell known businesses and can easily leave jurisdiction.
However, attorney Clive Rivers argued against the recommended travel restrictions, countering thatHodge walks with a cane, is advanced in age and is not in the best of health. The attorney alsoexpressed that his client often has to travel for medical attention and that in some cases therequired travel is immediate. Noting that Hodge has lived in the territory for over 60 years, Rivers
stated that he did not see any reason at this point to restrict Hodge solely to the jurisdiction.
At the conclusion of the hearing Hodge’s bail figure was set at $500 cash and he was ordered tosurrender his passport and driver's license to the court. The judge concluded that he cannot leavethe territory without court permission but if he can provide proof that his travel for medical care isregular, the court will consider issuing one order as opposed to individual orders for each instance.
Although the alleged victim has already left the territory, Hodge has been prohibited from havingany direct or indirect contact with her and must maintain a distance of at least 100 feet at all times.His arraignment date has been set for December 3rd.
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